Hogs lower The seasonal building of supply weighed down hogs prices. The cash market remains at a premium to the futures. The U.S. national live price average for barrows and gilts was US$65.16 per hundredweight July 28, down from $67.85 July 21. U.S. hogs averaged $80.98 on a carcass basis July 28, down from $83.33 […] Read more
Bison
WP livestock report
Researcher finds healthy bison can be carriers of M. bovis
BIG SKY, Mont. — Mycoplasma bovis has plagued cattle for years, causing respiratory disease, arthritis and mastitis, among other ailments. But only since 1999 has it been associated with bison. Karen Register, a research microbiologist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s national animal disease centre, wants to know why. She has undertaken a study of […] Read more
Dwindling protein levels in forage could prove costly
BIG SKY, Mont. — Climate change could lead to diminishing protein in feed for livestock, says an American ecologist who studies animal diets and grasslands. In fact, he said the protein content in grass and forage has already dropped and the slow decline has escaped major attention. Joseph Craine, co-founder of Jonah Ventures and former […] Read more
One million bison a lofty goal?
BIG SKY, Mont. — Two hundred years ago, the North American bison herd was 30 million animals strong. Today, the goal is to increase numbers to one million from the current 392,000 animals in the United States and Canada. It’s called Bison One Million, a plan officially announced during the International Bison Conference July 4-7. […] Read more
WP livestock report
Hogs little changed The U.S. national live price average for barrows and gilts was US$68.30 per hundredweight July 14, up from $67.67 per cwt. July 7. U.S. hogs averaged $86.40 on a carcass basis July 14, up from $86.34 July 7. The U.S. pork cutout was $104.48 per cwt. July 14, slightly down from $104.96 […] Read more
Disease a major headache for Montana bison ranch
BOZEMAN, Mont. — About 2,600 bison cows and bulls, with 1,800 calves at side, roam the 114,000 acres of the Flying D ranch, but even this vast area and relative isolation can’t protect them from illness. In fact, the wide-open spaces that make this ranch ideal for bison are also ideal for other wildlife, including […] Read more
Mycoplasma reappearing in bison herds
BIG SKY, Mont. — Mycoplasma may be rearing its ugly head again in bison herds. The bacteria-like organism was responsible for a significant number of bison deaths during a 2010-12 study and now it may have mutated to attack in animals in a different way. Dr. Pat Burrage, a veterinarian with Bluffton Veterinary Services, told […] Read more
WP LIVESTOCK REPORT: July 13, 2017
HOGS RISE Rising U.S. pork prices, particularly bellies, supported hog prices. The U.S. pork cutout hit the highest level in two years. The price for bellies, which are used to make bacon, were starting to close in on the record price set in April 2014. Demand for bacon is good during the heat of summer […] Read more
Monitor herd to manage age related health, breeding issues
Bison cows can live into their 30s, and while the industry initially thought that was a good thing, questions are now raised about the value of older animals in the herd. In my veterinary practice, I am starting to see age-related health problems hurting the productive output of our herds. A number of the pioneering […] Read more
Producers must take action to avoid fly, parasite resistance
We heard years ago about resistance with fly tags. I believe the first tags were called Bovaid and with no other tags on the market, researchers noticed resistance developing after a few years. Soon other companies were making tags with a different family of chemicals so producers could rotate them and ward off resistance. Horn […] Read more
